Travel guide to Copenhagen

If Copenhagen was a movie character, it would be that coolish grandmother who doesn’t give a rats ass about what anybody thinks of her. She knows she’s stylish, refreshing and doesn’t have to make a fuss to anyone. Copenhagen is the cooler big sister in Scandinavia. And she deserves it. Not only being in the land of ”hygge”, it’s one of the most welcoming cities in the world.

Founded in the early 1100s, the city has been breaking record ever since. Today you find the one of Europe’s longest pedestrianized shopping street, Strøget, and the world’s oldest Tivoli in the capital. Strolling down the streets of Copenhagen, you’ll quickly notice two things: Water – it’s everywhere – you are practically always surrounded by it. The buildings – poppin’ with colors and great architecture. This is no wonder, many of the most famous buildings were built between the years 1588-1648. Grab a red pølse, embrace the now and sit down by the waterfront, just as the Danes do it.

City districts

Just like any big capital, Copenhagen has a city center, divided into a couple of areas. These are the one’s we will be focusing at, even though there naturally is more to see outside the city center.

What to see and do in Copenhagen City Center / Indre By

The inner-core of Copenhagen is called Indre By. It’s in this area that many famous sights lie along a line, pompous and ready to let you in. Getting off at the Central Station, you’ll have The City Hall, Nyhavn, Rundetaarn, Strøget and Christiansborg Palace within walking distance. Go alone, or be guided by us on our Copenhagen City Walking tour.

Things to do in Vesterbro

For several years, Vesterbro have been the bohemian belt of Copenhagen. It’s vicinity to the Central Station hasn’t stopped the area from blooming with tattoo shops, vintage stores and design stores. In Vesterbro lies the exciting neighborhood called Kødbyen – simliar to the Meatpacking District in New York, where you’ll find a batch of bars, exhibition venues and restaurants located in an old slaughter and butchers’ districts. For a night out with the locals, this is the place to go.

Visiting Nørrebro

Nørrebro is the rebel little brother of the city districts, whom in the last couple of years have developed into being one of the hottest areas. If you prefer locals over tourists, youngsters over old peeps, just pop over Dronning Louise’s Bridge from Indre By and feel how the atmosphere changes. It’s here that microbreweries fight over venues, and new hot spot restaurants open continuously. For a moment of silence, visit Assistens Cemetery, a true hidden gem in lush surroundings.

Things to do in Christianshavn

One should feel slightly sad for Christianshavn, as it’s often forgotten. Despite it’s closeness to popular Nyhavn, few choose to cross the bridge Inderhavnsbroen over to a most wonderful district. It’s time you do! It’s most famous sight is the free-town of Christiania, an enclosed self-proclaimed district, a city in the city, that literally let’s you walk out of The European Union when visiting. However, Christianshavn have more to offer than the controversial free-town. It’s characteristics slanting roofs and canals, the Danish Architecture Centre and tremendous Church of Our Saviour are just few of them. Check out our Free Spirited Copenhagen Walking Tour of Christianshavn.

Østerbro

Say hello to the creme de la creme when discovering the posh area of Østerbro. Perhaps we’re being to harsh, the posh reputation is also combined with promises of green oases (somewhat hard to be found in Copenhagen), water and a beach. Østerbro might be home to mostly designer stores and fancy cafés, but it’s also where you’ll find the most famous iron-lady of the country – The Little Mermaid – and the exciting Citadel grounds. Relax and take a moment off in the largest public park of the country, Fælledparken, and we’re sure yo will find your way in this district too.

Frederiksberg

As close as you can get to the area of London’s Notting Hill, that’s where you’ll find Frederiksberg. Being an area with luxurious residential houses mixed with greenery, this has for many years been primarily district where the older and established Copenhagers live. Frederiksberg is anyway very well worth a visit. Indulge in diverse shopping, take a breath of fresh air at Frederiksberg Gardens and fill your appetite at Værnedamsvej, the area’s own food street.

How to get around in Copenhagen & to Copenhagen from Airport

Arriving at Kastrup Airport

Kastrup is one of the most central airports in Scandinavia. To make your way to the city center of Copenhagen, you have plenty of options.

Metro from Kastrup to Nørreport

The line M2 only departs in the right direction, meaning out of the airport. Train departs every 4-6 minutes during daytime, arriving 13 minutes later at Nørreport Station.

Train to Copenhagen Central Station

From terminal 3 you can take the train directly to Copenhagen Central Station. Departing every 10 minutes, you can make your way to central Copenhagen in 13 minutes.

Bus from Kastrup to city center of Copenhagen

With bus 5A you can make your way directly to the Central Station, City Hall Square or Nørreport Station. It takes approximately 35 minutes to the Central Station in Copenhagen.

Tickets for above mentioned can be bought at terminal 3.

Taxi from Kastrup to Copenhagen City

A taxi from Kastrup costs around DKK 300. You can find taxis outside each terminal.

Public transportation in Copenhagen

The public transportation system in Copenhagen is very easy. Tickets can be bought at each station or smaller kiosks like 7-Eleven. Offering busses, metro, and S-Trains, you can choose your own budget and pace, depending on where you want to go. At Rejseplanen (link) you can plan your trip with public transportation easily and see what options suit you best.

Biking in Copenhagen

We can’t mention getting around in Copenhagen without taking up biking. To bike in Copenhagen is practically as “normal” as to have breakfast in the morning – everybody does it. Here’s a guide to how you make your way around Copenhagen with a bike, and where you can rent one for your vacation.

Things to know before visiting Copenhagen

Card is king, not cash

Lesser and lesser places are accepting cash as payment. The card is king.

Weather in Copenhagen

Let’s face it, you’re going up North, you MAY not use sun-screen. Or a sun hat. Or sunglasses. From November to March, we have Winter in Copenhagen. The temperature stretches from -15 to +10. April, May, September and October are those typical months when anything can happen. Either it’s +5 or +20. June to August is when you have the most chance of getting a tan, or at least sitting out and not freezing to death. The temperature stretches from +15 to +30, even though the latest is not very common.

Health

When coming to Copenhagen, you don’t need to think about vaccines. You can drink the tap water.
If you’re planning on visiting the archipelago and spending a lot of time in nature, be sure to check yourself for ticks.

Visa to Copenhagen

Go here to apply for Visa. OURWAY Tours can not assist in Visa matters.

Tipping in Denmark, Copenhagen

In Copenhagen, it’s most common to give tips to servers, restaurant staff, and taxi drivers. It’s completely voluntarily (unlike many other countries, it’s simply a bonus on top of the person’s regular salary). It’s common to tip at least 10% on a bill’s sum if you want to. Since the tip is voluntary, it completely depends on how you feel about the service you have been given. If you want to show someone a bit of extra love, that’s nice of you. If you don’t tip, don’t feel bad – it’s stated in the law that tipping is included in the price at the restaurants.

Electricity in Denmark

The voltage in Denmark is 220, 50Hz current and uses two-pin continental plugs.

We use the standard European grounded socket. The adapter is known as type E or F.

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